The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-24

which should finish its house In the shortest
time, aud in the best manner. He also
offered a reward of 800 to the officer O SOL
der who, in the scarcity Of boards, should
invest the best kind OF available roofing for
the cabins.
Each cabin was TO be fourteen feet BIZ six
teen with good chimney and fireplace. and
all were TO be conveniently arranged i'm
streets. The commanding general himself
occupied log cabin during the winter as he
had publicly promised the troops that he
would himself share in the haraships, and
partakc OF every Inconvenience"
What n scene OF activity the cainp must
have presented during the next few daysi
Some Of the men had their cabins habitable
by christmas, six days after beginning them
and, by New Years. the compact town of
log houses was substantially done.
But then came the starving time. The
country round about was supporting two
armies, in addition 10 its ordinary popula.
tion, and the States were backward In send.
ing supplies. At one time part OF the
army went without meat of any kind for n
week; those who were most favored were
without 1t for three or four DAYS. and the
whole army was 30 short OF clothing that
large numbers Of the men had not enough
covering for decency to say nothing OF com
fort.
There was time in january i77S when
the surgeons reported 3,Ol0 men on the sick
list, out Of total nominal force OF II 600
The British at Philadelphia, twenty miles
away, were living in luxury.
Washington never exhibited his eminent
qualities In more striking light than hcdid
during the winter at Valley Forge. lie was
Then wholly the great man. The patient
endurance OF the men was due in great part
to his presence. 10 his manifest Sympathy
with them, and his known activity ON their
behalf. The measures which ended the fam.
inc and brought In abundant supplies of
clothing and food were directly due 10 his
foresight and energy.
Later In the winter. when the men had re-
covered their health and spirits lac sent for
Mrs. Washington, and then for the first time
he allowed himself the luxury Of an extra
cabin for his dining.room. Mrs. Washing.
ton herself reports that the cabin in which
they slept was very small aud that things
were greatly mended when the new room
was added
At last, the great and glorious news an.
nouncing that the infant republic had found
powerful friend In Europe reached The
camp, reached Congress, aud filled the whole
land with Joy. Gen. Washington received
the news about the "a of May, and on the ON
he published the following proclamation:
1T having pleased the almighty ruler OF
the universe TO defend the cause OF the
United American States, aud finally 10 raise
us up powerful friend among the princes
OF the earth, 10 establish our liberty and i'm.
dependency Upon lasting foundation, ID be.
comes us 10 set apart day for gratefully ac-
knowledging the divine goodness and cele.
brating the important event which We owe
20 his divine interposition. The several
brigades are 10 be assembled for this
purpose ut q o'clock tomorrow morning
when their chapains will communicate the
intelligence contained IN the Postscript of
the Pennsylvania Gazette OF the "a Instant
and Oilcr up thanksgiving. aud deliver a dis.
course suitable 30 the OCCASION.
AT 1889 o'clock cannon will be Cred.
which Is to he signal for the men 20 be
under arms; the brigade inspectors will then
inspect their dress aud arms, and form the
hattalions according "a the instructions
given them, and announce 10 the command.
ing officers OF the brigade that the battalions
are formed.
'The commanders Of the bripidcs will then
appoint field oiiccr In the battnlions. after
which each battalion will be ordered 10 load
aud ground their arms. At 1880 O'Clock a
second cannon will be fired NJ n signal for tho
march upon which the several brigadcs will
begin their march by wheeling 10 the right
OF platoons, and procccl by the nearest way
Ia the left Of their ground hy the new posi-.
ton; this will be given by the brigade in.
spcctors.
"a third signal will then bo Owen. ON which
there will be a discharge Ut thirteen cannon.
after which running fire Of the infantry
will begin on the right Of Woodfords. and
will continue throughout the front line: Il
will then be taken on the left OF the second
line and continue o. the right UpOn a sig
nal given, the whole army will huzza:
"'I.ong live the King ~ France
''1he artillery then begins again aud fires
thirteen rounds. this will be succeeded by
second general discharge Of the muskctry' la
n running fire. and hula.
"'Long live the friendly European
powcrsv
'Thc last discharge 81 thirteen pieces Of
artillery will be given, followed by general
running iir and huzza
The American States"
This program was executed with precision
and the effect was brilliant and picturesque
In the extreme. A bright MAY sun was
shining overhead, new colon were living.
aud many 81 the soldiers were attincd I'M |
new uniforms. Lafayette and other French |
officers were present. Lord Stirling and !
Gen. Greene, with their staff officers. took |
part IN the celebration, and ladies sur. |
rounded Mrs. Washington aud viewed the |
spectacle.
In the afternoon Gen. Washington invited |
the officers and guests 10 q banquet, which |
was greatly celebrated at the time. An eve |
witness reports 10 one of the newspapers |
that the officers marched 10 the amphi. /
theaier thirteen abreast aud arm.n-arm'
Mrs. Washington. Mu. Greene. Lady |
Stirling aud her daughter, with many ladies /
of the ncighborhood, gmccd the scene. Ia. /
Faycttc was In the highest spirits. and ri. |
umphant Joy shone IN every countcnancc.
All over the land, as the news travelled from
state 10 State and town 10 town. similar
scenes Of Thanksgiving aud icstiyiiy were re.
.s.tH